What Me Worry? May starts off with a No Hitter and a Pujols Home Run

April was an ugly month.  April gave me the hives.  April the Halos struggled to not only win games, but to throw strikes, to get runs, to do anything really.  But May... May our team is off to a good start.  Although the Halos are still dwelling in the cellar, the Machine has finally did it.  He finally hit a home run. And Mr. Jared Weaver has finally got credit for a No Hitter..  Dodger fans know he had one just a few years ago.  Is there cause for concern?  Absolutely.  Is there reason for panic?  I don't think so.  There are a couple of things that needs to happen and it'll spark the team. And if you have been paying attention... they have been.

The Bullpen Depth has been addressed.  DiPoto wisely jettisoned Alexi Amarista and Donn Roach  to the Padres for Ernesto Frieri.  This move looked good before Hawkins injured his pinky and Downs came up gimpy in a closing situation.  And with the way Frieri has pitched, it looks down right genius.  And as much upside Amarista had for the Angels, they have plenty of middle infield depth and with the extension of Kendrick and Aybar, the guy was blocked.  Here's hoping Amarista gets into a starting position besting Hudson or Bartlett soon. It was also announced today that in response to the injuries in the bullpen, the Angels have reacted by calling up David Pauley and Garrett Richards.  But it looks like Downs is available to pitch tonight.  Jepsen has been a problem and he's back in the Minors.  Takahashi must be on the chopping block next as the only shinning beacon of hope in the bullpen has been Scott Downs and now with Frieri coming in along with a healthy Hawkins, this bullpen might just work out.  Of course guys like Walden must be ready, but Pauley and Richards could be getting some junk time if games get out of control.



Mark Trumbo has to be in the line up every day, despite a few throwing errors at third, Trumbo's bat is too damn valuable to be on the bench or to pinch hit late in the game.  His stat line for the season looks something like batting .313 with 12 RBI, 4 Home Runs, 4 Doubles, 11 runs scored, and even a stolen base.  When the bats are having difficulty scoring runs, you can't afford to leave this power on the bench. 
Consistency in the batting order, with Mike Scioscia at the helm might not ever be too consistent.  However Pujols who DID just hit his first home run has been consistent at batting 3rd.  I still think Scioscia should commit to an everyday batting line up, but he's won a hell of a lot more baseball games than I ever have.  Trout was looking pretty good leading off. 

Here is what worries me... Scioscia has been loyal to his veterans to a fault.  At some point the Angels need to poop or get off the pot with Wells.  Obviously he isn't the player they were hoping for.  And its beginning to look like he won't ever be that player.  The outfield is extremely too crowded right now.  If Trout is to play, Borjous sits and vice versa.  Time to clear the path and make Trout your full time Left Fielder.  Otherwise, deal Petey for pieces to win now. 

Pujols is an Angel - Mind Blown.

Nearly eight days ago my mind was completely blown.  Like some sort of sonic ray gun zapping my brain and exploding like Mt. St. Helen, Albert Pujols became an Angel.  I closely monitored websites like Halos Heaven and MLB Trade Rumors to see what went down at the Winter Meetings.  Truth be told in the past few seasons the Winter Meetings were a torturous experience.  Hearing the Halos linked to every top deck free agent, only to settle for coming in 2nd place.
Jerry DiPoto didn't leave me disappointed.  When the name Pujols was being tossed around as a potential Angel, I kind of laughed but deep down I hoped he would be.  I've eluded to my affinity for the first baseman in other posts.  Prior to the Wells deal last winter, I had hopped that the Halos would be saving up to make a serious bid to the multi-time MVP.  But never in my wildest dreams would the most prolific hitter in all the land would be suiting up in our colors for my team.  Just wasn't going to happen.  But it did.

Arte Moreno stepped up to the plate.  And the infomercial for season tickets last Saturday is a testament to the gratitude the Halo Faithful should share for the boss.  You wanted the best, he got you the best. Starting at first base for your Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim #5, the Machine, Albert Pujols.  I've heard a lot of rhetoric from Dodger fans.  I'm going to chalk that up to jealousy. 

1. You over paid:  #5 had offers from the Marlins for just over 22M more that were left on the table.  When you begin to adjust the market for inflation in the next ten years, with ever increasing contracts and no salary cap, this contract could be a bargain in 3-4 years.  If the Halos win the Series
2. He won't be the same hitter in year 10:  Will Jeter, A-Rod, or really any of the premium players being the player they were at the end of the contract as their were at the beginning.   No, they aren't.  AP won't be the same player he is when my Daughter is 17.  But he could be chasing Bond's Home Run record, 3000 hits, and Cooper's Town.  Could be the first Angel inducted into the HOF.  And sure he spent 11 years in STL, 10 years in Anaheim could mean as much, if not more.

'The Machine' hasn't yet to play 1 game in an Angels Jersey, but he's already being treated like a Rock Star.  World Series have never been won in December.  But Pujols gives the Angel an excellent opportunity to go back to the promise land.  So kudos to the Halos, Moreno, and DiPoto for landing the big fish and making that splash.

Go Halos